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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLight Comm. 09/21/2020Mansfield Municipal Electric Department Minutes of Light Commissioners Meeting September 21, 2020 1 I t J =ICE Present: Chair Jess Aptowitz, Vice Chair Mike Trowbridge, Clerk Neil Rhein, Commissioner Steve Schoonveld, Commissioner Frank Delvecchio, Light Department Manager Joseph _ Sollecito and Office Administrator Laurie Anderson The meeting was held remotely due to the pandemic and called to order at 5:05 PM. Chair Aptowitz read the following: "Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, 18, and the Governor's March 31, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Town of Mansfield's Light Commissioners is being conducted via remote participation. No in -person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings as provided for in the Order. This meeting has been posted on the Town's website. To provide virtual access to this meeting by the public, the Town is utilizing the GoToWebinar platform. The instructions are below on how members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so, during the portion of the meeting designated for public comment. Again, these instructions can be found below or on the Town's website at www.mansfieldma.com" A complete copy of the Board packet containing all documents that are referenced in the minutes is on file at the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department office. Citizens Comments- none Motion: To enter into Executive Session for the following reasons and to return to Open Session A) Pursuant to M.G.L. Ch. 164, Section 47D and M.G.L. Ch. 30A, Section 21, Exemption 2, to conduct contract negotiations with non -union personnel B) Pursuant to M.G.L. Ch. 164, Section 47D and M.G.L. Ch. 30A, Section 21, Exemption 10, to discuss trade secrets or confidential, competitively -sensitive or other proprietary information C) Vote to return to Open Session (Trowbridge/Delvecchio) Passes 510 Roll call vote: Delvecchio-aye; Trowbridge -aye; Schoonveld-aye; Aptowitz-aye and Rhein -aye After returning to Open Session at 5:45, the following motion was made. Motion: To extend Manager Sollecito's contract to December 2022 with a salary increase of 3% retroactive to 7/1/2020 (Trowbridge/Rhein) Passes 4/1 (Schoonveld against) Roll call vote: Delvecchio-aye; Trowbridge -aye; Schoonveld-aye; Aptowitz-aye and Rhein -aye Storage Facility — Manager Sollecito gave an update on the storage facility for the High St. storage yard. He said that the contractors for TBA Architects have done soil sample testing and are getting this project to the Conservation Commission per the Board's last vote. Choice Connect — Manager Sollecito said that the Choice Connect program with Itron was approved a little over a year ago. He explained that this is an advanced AMR system as opposed to an AMI system where the meters talk to one another which MMED didn't choose because it would have meant replacing all 10,000 meters. With the Choice Connect program, there will be 9 collectors on the distribution poles to collect the information. MMED hopes to have finalized the design by October after Itron completes their site survey. It is hoped to have the system activated by spring. Go REO — Manager Sollecito gave an update on the Go REO program. He said that 47 customers have voluntarily signed up to pay extra money every month. It is anticipated that over $8000 will be used to purchase Class I Massachusetts renewable energy credits. Such funds are utilized to sponsor new energy renewable projects in Massachusetts. RP3 — Manager Sollecito told the Board that he, Office Administrator Laurie Anderson and Engineer Chris Cox have been working on this. It is made up of approximately 200 questions for which they must give detailed answers. Previously MMED was at the Gold Level but Manager Sollecito believes based upon some key initiatives they have undertaken, that they can hope to gain a higher ranking. The announcement will be made in December. DOER Solar Rebate Program — Manager Sollecito said that approximately 12 customers participate in this program in which they get a rebate for solar installations. There is $14,000 in funding still available. Future Upgrade Project — Manager Sollecito reviewed a map of the proposed underground project to upgrade distribution circuits from Gilbert Street Substation. He said there is no urgency and this is probably a capital project for next year. Mutual Aid Commendation — MMED received a mutual aid commendation from APPA in recognition of the assistance they gave to Chicopee Light Department. Manager Sollecito said that MMED is readily available in a very short time and it is appreciated. Comments from Commissioners — Commissioner Delvecchio had no comments but thanked Manager Sollecito for the updates. Commissioner Schoonveld also thanked him and asked if MMED is doing pole replacement on Otis Street. Manager Sollecito said they are. Clerk Rhein asked about the lot next to Mansfield Bank and if part of the plan is to put in lighting. Manager Sollecito explained that MMED is coordinating that and has completed the duct work to the building and transformer pad and also some cutover work for the service to the apartment building. A total of 5 fixtures will be installed plus the additional walkway lighting that the DPW will be installing. Clerk Rhein also asked if MMED is responsible for keeping the area around the electric boxes neat and clean, Manager Sollecito said that MMED does maintain that. Vice Chair Trowbridge commented MMED did a great job with the mutual aid. In regards to the proposed underground project for Gilbert St, he wondered what the price of keeping it overhead vs. going underground would be. He said that is a question he will be asking when the project comes up next year. Chair Aptowitz asked everyone to be thinking about a date for the next meeting. Motion: To adjourn at 6:27 PM (Trowbridge/) Passes 5/0 Roll call vote: Delvecchio-aye; Trowbridge -aye; Schoonveld-aye; Aptowitz-aye and Rhein -aye Respectfully submitted: Jacqueline Lee SigAature of Clerk Date of Approval